This Side Of The Truth

（for Llewelyn）

This side of the truth，

You may not see， my son，

King of your blue eyes

In the blinding country of youth，

That all is undone，

Under the unminding skies，

Of innocence and guilt

Before you move to make

One gesture of the heart or head，

Is gathered and spilt

Into the winding dark

Like the dust of the dead.

Good and bad， two ways

Of moving about your death

By the grinding sea，

King of your heart in the blind days，

Blow away like breath，

Go crying through you and me

And the souls of all men

Into the innocent

Dark， and the guilty dark， and good

Death， and bad death， and then

In the last element

Fly like the stars' blood

Like the sun's tears，

Like the moon's seed， rubbish

And fire， the flying rant

Of the sky， king of your six years.

And the wicked wish，

Down the beginning of plants

And animals and birds，

Water and Light， the earth and sky，

Is cast before you move，

And all your deeds and words，

Each truth， each lie，

Die in unjudging love.